Carol Clark - Hitched

Daisy waited, her wide-eyed stare never wavering.

“I just hope Frederick doesn’t get upset that my name is in the paper. He shuns crowds and attention. When I’m with him out at his home, it’s just us and the rolling hills. I have to say I love it.”

“When are you going to quit your job?” Daisy asked.

“I’m not going to.”

“You’re not?” Daisy asked, astonished. “Why not?”

“I will eventually. But Frederick likes to be alone so he can paint. I like to be alone as well. For now I’ll go out and visit on my days off. It’s exactly what we both want.”

“How modern!” Daisy said excitedly. “It’ll probably work better. Less chance of getting on each other’s nerves.”

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder,” Victoria said as a middle-aged man stepped off the elevator and approached the front desk, wheeling his black suitcase. Victoria turned to Daisy. “I’ll take this.” She smiled bewitchingly at the customer. “Leaving us so soon, Mr. Flach?”

Daisy watched as the customer’s face lit up.

“You have a good memory,” Flach said, clearly flattered.

“I never forget a handsome man,” Victoria cooed.

What a flirt she is, Daisy thought as she headed to the back office. And she’s always dressed so sexily in those expensive outfits. Frederick better watch out, she thought. Leaving Victoria alone for too long in the city could mean trouble. Daisy laughed. Biiiggg trouble.

I want to find a man, Daisy mused. I’m going to have to start taking lessons from Victoria. Maybe I’ll ask her about that visualization stuff she’s so big on. I’ve seen her reading those books. She said it helps you figure out what you really want. Then you have to go for it, no matter what it takes to get there.

Daisy shook her head and laughed. It sure looks like Victoria succeeded.

While Shauna and Tyler were hauled off in the back of a police car, Regan and Jack went up to Pamela and Arnold ’s apartment for a quick chat.

“Thank you, thank you,” Pamela cried.

“I’m sorry if I was rude to you yesterday, Regan,” Arnold said contritely. “Turns out it’s a good thing Shauna got publicity. Otherwise those two miserable ingrates would be off with all of Pamela’s jewelry.” Arnold ’s face turned beet red. “I just can’t believe we trusted those two in the first place.”

“Calm down, dear,” Pamela said. She turned to Regan and Jack. “This is embarrassing, but Tyler did save my life.”

“They took advantage of your gratitude,” Regan said.

“She even told us she was pregnant,” Pamela said. “They said they’d name the baby after one of us. I’m sure they were lying.”

“We’ll soon find out,” Jack replied with a raised eyebrow.

Regan looked thoughtful. “They’ve been here since January? They weren’t working that whole time?”

Pamela shrugged. “ Tyler did odd jobs for us. We gave him cash but not that much. He chauffeured us in our car when we had to go out in the evening. Shauna did some cooking. They made themselves so helpful. Shauna kept saying she had to get busy and make more jewelry to sell after the wedding. But it never seemed to happen.”

Regan rolled her eyes.

“I know, Regan. It’s ridiculous.”

“Well, whatever,” Regan said. “The police will be going through their suitcases to see if there’s anything else that belongs to you. Be sure to check around to make sure there’s nothing else missing that they might have taken in these last three months and already sold.”

“We’ll go over this place with a fine-tooth comb,” Arnold declared.

“For all we know they could have been in on the robbery at the bridal salon,” Jack said. “Where were they on Friday night?”

“They went out to a concert. We watched a movie in bed, then went to sleep early. We never hear them when they come in. I have no idea what time they got home,” Pamela replied wearily.

“I’m sure you two could use a rest,” Regan said. “We’ll be in touch.”

By the time Regan and Jack got back downstairs, reporters were already camped outside the building. Regan had contacted the Tiger News Network. They had, after all, been the reason that Shauna and Tyler were thwarted.

“Regan Reilly,” one of the reporters began, “one of the April Brides turns out to be a jewel thief. What do you have to say about that?”

“I’m glad she’s been caught.”

“What about her stolen dress?”

“What about it? Alfred and Charisse have one less dress they have to worry about replacing.”

The reporters laughed.

“You were on the air with Brianne Barth this morning. Have you talked to Tracy Timber or Victoria Beardsley today?”

“I haven’t had any reason to.”

“Do you think you will?”

“I can’t say.”

When Regan and Jack got back in the car, her cell phone rang. It was Alfred. He was delighted with all the excitement about Shauna.

“What did you think of her?” Regan asked.

“She was a phony,” Alfred cried.

“We know that now, Alfred,” Regan said with a slight shake of her head.

Jack’s cell phone rang. He answered it, listened, and put his hand on Regan’s arm. “Joyce’s purse was found this morning downtown. Her cell phone and license were in it. No cash.”

Regan’s face looked grave. “Alfred, I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

Cindy had spent a mostly sleepless night on the couch in Joyce’s apartment. She tried to watch television, but her mind couldn’t focus on anything but the fact that Joyce was missing. Where could she be? She tried Joyce’s cell phone a number of times, not expecting an answer, and not getting one.

What am I going to tell her mother? Cindy worried. She hasn’t been well. She went on the cruise for a little rest and relaxation. Sure she was laid-back, but she’d been having health problems and she always worried about Joyce. When Joyce had had the surgery on her foot last year and they’d given her too much medication, her mother had been frantic. Joyce was out of it for a couple of days. She couldn’t handle more than an aspirin. And last night Joyce probably had too much to drink. Who knows what could have happened to her?

At around eight thirty Cindy fell asleep. She awoke when Joyce’s phone rang. Racing into the kitchen, she grabbed the receiver. “Hello,” she said quickly.

“Who’s this?” a male voice asked.

“Who’s this?” Cindy answered tartly.

“This is Francis. I’m looking for Joyce.”

“Francis, this is Cindy.”

“Oh, hi, Cindy,” Francis answered, sounding guilty. “Is Joyce there?”

“No.”

“Where is she?”

Cindy clenched the phone. “I don’t know, Francis.” The call waiting beeped. “Hold on a second. Maybe this is Joyce.” Cindy pressed the flash button. “Hello.”

“Cindy, it’s Regan. You haven’t heard from Joyce have you?”

“No, I haven’t. Her boyfriend is on the other line.”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know. He just called.”

“Cindy, I’m sorry to tell you that Joyce’s purse was found downtown.”

“Oh, no!” Tears stung Cindy’s eyes. “What could have happened to her?”

“I don’t know. The police are looking for her. We want to post her picture all over downtown where she was last seen. Are there any good photos of her at the house we could use?”

“Yes. Lots,” Cindy sniffled. “I’ll get a couple of them out.”

“Jack and I are on our way right now.” Regan then told Cindy about the adventure with Shauna and Tyler.

“I missed the show this morning,” Cindy said. “I finally fell asleep for a little while.”